Life Extension MacuGuard Ocular Support�protects ocular functions. Life Extension Super Zeaxanthin contains Lutein, Meso-Zeaxanthin and C3G. Life Extension MacuGuard Ocular Support formula provides clinically proven doses of all three carotenoids to help protect your precious eyesight. Life Extension Super Zeaxanthin includes C3G (Cyanidin-3-gluco-side), a cutting-edge berry flavonoid compound that helps to stimulate regeneration of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a compound in the eyes that absorbs light in the retina. As rhodopsin dramatically declines over time, it leads to a progressive loss of night vision. By helping to maintain rhodopsin, C3G helps to support night vision.
- Supports concentration of lutein in the eye.
- Supports efficient absorption of lutein in the blood streams.
- Phospholipids enhance lutein in the cell membrane.
- Supports zeaxanthin concentrations in eye.
- Provides meso-zeaxanthin which is difficult to obtain from dietary sources.
The eye is a highly complex organ that detects light and converts it to electrochemical impulses in neurons. It must safely harvest, control, focus, and react to light in order to produce vision. Light enters the anterior (front) portion of the eye through the clear cornea and fluid-like aqueous humor, and is then focused by the clear lens before entering the gel-like vitreous humor. It must pass through a nerve layer of ganglions connected to photoreceptors (both rods and cones) where light signals are converted to electrical signals that are transported to the brain. Behind the photoreceptors is the retinal pigmented epithelium, which nourishes the retinal visual cells and removes waste from the constantly active photoreceptor cells. The retinal pigmented epithelium rests on a thin, connective tissue-like support structure called Bruch’s membrane (vitreous lamina), which also serves to create a blood-brain barrier for transport of nutrients, waste products, and critical oxygen. The macular region of the human retina is yellow in color due to the presence of the macular pigment, composed of two dietary xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, and another xanthophyll, meso-zeaxanthin. The latter is formed from lutein in the retina. Because the macula is yellow in color, it absorbs excess blue and ultraviolet light that enters the eye. The macular pigment protects the underlying photoreceptor cell layer from light damage, possibly initiated by the formation of reactive oxygen species during a photosensitized reaction. The macular pigment can be increased by either increasing the intake of foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, or by supplementation with nutrients like lutein or zeaxanthin.
With time, the aging eye accumulates photosensitizers in the retina, such as lipofuscin, thereby making the retina the most susceptible to light-initiated oxidative damage. Photoreceptors in the retina are neural cells that do not undergo mitosis (i.e., the division of the parent cell’s genome into two daughter cells). Once lost, these photoreceptors cannot be restored, leading to degeneration of the retina, deleterious accumulation of metabolic debris, and a resultant loss of vision. However, research has shown that maintaining optimal vision is now possible with nutritional supplementation, diet and other lifestyle changes.
By absorbing blue light, carotenoids protect delicate photoreceptor cells in the retina’s macula from light damage. The density of your macular pigment (composed of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin) is essential to proper vision.8-10 These carotenoids act as antioxidants and protect the macula from damage by photo-initiated oxidative stress. Unfortunately, this density declines naturally over time. Some aging people also lose their ability to convert lutein into meso-zeaxanthin inside their macula. Eating lots of lutein- and zeaxanthin-containing vegetables can help maintain the structural integrity of the macula. However, since meso-zeaxanthin is not part of the typical diet, it cannot be replaced except in supplement form.
Directions: Take one softgel daily with or without food, or as directed by your health care practitioner.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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